Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) chairman Lagos chapter, Tope Ojo, in a chat with BusinessDay, says more work needs to be done on awareness of Lassa fever, as it wasn’t totally eradicated in the past.
“We never completely eradicated Lassa fever since 1994 outbreak, so we must now face it like we did with Ebola,” Ojo says.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Lassa fever is a zoonotic disease, meaning that humans become infected from contact with infected animals. The animal reservoir, or host, of Lassa virus is a rodent of the genus Mastomys, commonly known as the “multimammate rat.” Mastomys rats infected with Lassa virus do not become ill, but they can shed the virus in their urine and faeces.
Isaac Adewale, minister of health, recently said that Nigeria had recorded 93 suspected cases of Lassa fever with 41 deaths, giving a case totality of 44percent.
According to Adewale, “It is important that we continue to remain vigilant, and as Nigerians, we must avoid spreading or drying of food items on the road side or outdoors. We need to keep all food containers sealed and our food must remain covered.
“We must also avoid eating food suspected to be contaminated with the faeces or urine of rats or rodents. We must also throw away foods partly consumed by animals and we need to continuously wash our hands and make sure food items are well prepared.”
Speaking further on the Federal Government’s response to the outbreak, Adewale said “there has been an immediate release of adequate quantities of Ribavirin, the specific antiviral drug for Lassa fever to all the affected states for prompt and adequate treatment of cases.”
The health ministry has also announced some hotlines: 08093810105, 08163215251, 08031571667 and 08135050005 for enquiries and report of suspected cases.
Medical practitioners at the Lassa Fever Research Centre at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State, have said the virus has been spreading in the country because authorities have not given the disease the attention it requires.
For George Akpede, a professor and chairman, Lassa Fever Stakeholder’s Forum, “We don’t want a situation where patients with viral haemorrhagic fevers, Lassa fever are managed in ordinary wards and facilities. We want dedicated facilities for them. As we speak, sadly, I am not aware that these centre have attained any stage for replication elsewhere in the country,
“The vaccines are not available unlike other diseases. Also, funding is a challenge, we have made a case for the establishment of Lassa fever centres, we want dedicated facilities for them.”
Lagos State government is however not taking chances, as it was currently investigating suspected Lassa fever cases reported by the Mainland Hospital, Yaba, and General Hospital, Mushin, after the death of three women that showed traits comparable to Lassa virus infection.
Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), and the 26 general hospitals in the state are on red alert for isolation of any suspected case.
According to Jide Idris, commissioner for health, “The first is a 47 year-old woman who was referred to General Hospital, Mushin, from a private health facility (Alafia Tayo Maternity Home) on 7th January, 2016, with three days history of sore throat; frequent watery stool of eight hours duration; difficulty in breathing of one hour duration and widespread petechae haemorrhages on the body.”
Though the patient later died, Jide said the result of laboratory investigation (blood) was negative for Lassa fever.
“The second suspected case, the symptoms included fever, sore throat, abdominal pain, discharge from the eyes, vaginal bleeding, passage of bloody urine, anal bleeding and hemoptysis. Result of laboratory investigation (blood) was negative for Lassa fever,” he said.
“The third suspected case, a 24-year-old housemaid who returned from Taraba State, was brought by her relations to Mainland Hospital, Yaba, on the 8th January 2016, on account of fever, vomiting and diarrhoea. Result of laboratory investigation was negative for Lassa fever,” he said further.
Kayode Obembe, NMA national president, in a chat with BusinessDay, said NMA’s declaration on Lassa fever would be available for the public early next week, adding that “the health awareness and advocacy are yet to permeate to the grassroots where precautionary measures should be taught in schools, churches, mosques and community gatherings. It is this inadequacy that NMA intends to address.”
